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How to Calculate Relative Frequency Distribution Without a Table

The relative frequency distribution is the proportion of a group of subjects (such as people) that fall into each of a number of categories (such as having voted for Obama, McCain, someone else or no one in the last presidential election).
To compute a relative frequency distribution, you need a sample of subjects and their classification.

Instructions

- 1
  List the categories. For example, this could be "Obama," "McCain," "Other" and "Did not vote."
- 2
  Write the number of subjects in each category. This might be 80, 80, 5 and 35.
- 3
  Add up the numbers. In the example, 80 + 80 + 5 + 35 = 200.
- 4
  Divide each of the numbers by the total. In the example, 80/200 = .40, 80/200 = .40, 5/200 = .025 and 35/200 = .0175.
- 5
  Write the categories and the proportions; this is the relative frequency distribution. In the example: Obama = .4, McCain = .4, other = .025, did not vote - .175.

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